Pleurisy

Alternative names:

pleuritis

Treatment:

Treatment is determined by the precipitating illness. Bacterial infections are treated with appropriate antibiotics. Tuberculosis requires special treatment. Viral infections normally run their course without medications. Pleural fluid is often removed by thoracentesis, and evaluated for signs of infection.

Expectations (prognosis):

Recovery depends on the nature of the illness. Recovery from infections of all types is generally good with treatment. Recovery from pleurisy cause by malignant disease is depends on the type and extent of the illness.

Complications:

• breathing difficulty
• complications associated with the precipitating illness

Calling your health care provider:

Call your health care provider if you experience symptoms of pleurisy. If you have breathing difficulty or the skin turns bluish (cyanosis) you should be seen promptly, possibly in an emergency room.